Othello Essay

Shakespeare’s art is his ability to create three dimensional characters. This gives an insight to the mind of how we perceive and interact with the world. Analysis of the text ‘Othello’ and its connectivity of characters discern themes such as betrayal, reputation and a patriarchal society, accompanied by unique contextual values. It is these abstract ideas which seek to explain the human condition and thus remain intriguing to a modern viewer.
Betrayal dictates the course of the play and is most prominent in that of Iago and Othello. The twist begins through dramatic irony as Othello says “Iago is a man of honesty and trust”. His fond accolades suggest a person of undeniable integrity and ‘canine’ loyalty; however the audience becomes aware of Iago’s malicious intent to strike down the Moor. This is a man driven by the evil of jealousy, accompanied with a manufactured appearance to coax Othello. As illustrated through his simile “I do hate him as I do hells pains”. The audience is positioned to pity Othello for trusting a man of such aesthetic duplicity. Examination of the ‘temptation scene’ in act three is critical to understanding his tactical ploy. From the initial insinuation of “Ha I like not that.” Othello is sparked with curiosity and simultaneously falls into Iago’s snare. With the seed of doubt planted Iago is able to manipulate the Moors insecurity with tantalizing stories of Desdemona’s adultery. Insecurity is the hamartia of Othello and induces his susceptibility to the ongoing fabrications. Iago destroys the Moors internal barriers until he is a mortal puppet, committing the ultimate sin of murder. This control over Othello is evident in the horrific imagery “I will chop her into messes!” The viewer is directed to comprehend how dark and contorted the psyche can become. Iago’s manipulation finally comes to fruition as the Moor loses his power, love and life. Thus it can be seen that Iago’s betrayal was the evil deed that destroyed Othello. However the Moor cannot be exonerated from Desdemona’s murder and the surrounding tragedies, as it was his lack of judgement, naivety and inability to see beyond the superficiality of Iago that determined the eventual tragedy. Therefore the burden of responsibility lies between both the perpetrator and victim. In essence Shakespeare is showing, as humans we have a moral obligation to be autonomous, and without this foundation it is impossible to protect ourselves from the hidden dangers which surround us. It exposes a mindset of survival against human elements such as manipulation and immorality which are now considered capitalist trademarks. Hence the reason ‘Othello’s characters and their ideological representations have evolved into objects of political significance to a modern audience.

Reputation is a major facet of character valued in the text. The language of Cassio, Othello and Iago demonstrate a profound desire to be of elevated status, pride and nobility. This was a common mindset considering the rigid hierarchy in Elizabethan England. For example Iago’s metaphor to Othello “Good name is the immediate jewel of souls” proposes that a person is defined by their social status. Here Shakespeare invites the audience to realise the effect of superficiality on behaviour. Distress occurs as reputation is stripped. This is evident in the repetition of Cassio’s line to Iago “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation!” Cassio is in a state of unbearable anguish following the demotion from Othello. He is expressing that pride is what constitutes happiness and to be bereft of it would mean to be bereft of any life at all. However Othello takes a different approach in his loss. Through oxymoron he calls himself “an honourable murderer” attempting to justify his actions and portray himself as a type of saint for preventing pain to further men, when he merely killed her in selfishness. Even until his dying breath he defends his pride in this ironic fashion “You will remember me as one not easily jealous, but being wrought” This statement of Othello’s illustrates to us that morally he was prepared to kill himself in the name of honour rather than concede judgemental defeat.
The patriarchal society cannot be underestimated in ‘Othello’. Male characters hold the power dynamic by maintaining political superiority and promoting masculine glorification. This is reflected through the Duke as “senator”, Othello as the “general” and Lodovico a “Venetian Noble”. As we juxtapose them with the female characters there is a conclusive image of female suppression. Emilia is a “maid”, Desdemona a “dutiful wife” and Bianca a prostitute. The audience is shaped to feel how we can be predetermined by gender. Though Emilia’s metaphor “Men are all but stomachs and we all but food, they eat us hungrily and when they are full they belch us” reveals a remarkable concept by Shakespeare. The women have a voice that echoes 20th century feminists; however it only occurs amongst them. In the company of men they are reduced to submission, incapable of any conversational challenge or rebellion. Emilia’s lines display the importance of sexual command in this societal system. As the women are merely “things” of pleasure they are abused to satisfy the men’s hedonistic and erotic desires. The patriarchy breeds hypocrisy as men are liberated from sexual exclusiveness in the name of “sport” whereas women are condemned for breaking monogamy. And it extends to an even uglier truth through the symbolism of Bianca. The prime idealism is that not of a wife but a personal mistress, used for raw primal passion with an absence of obligation. Bianca is the only female character left unharmed for she is the only true male desire; she serves, she submits and ultimately satisfies their “appetite”.
Therefore through analysis of ‘Othello’ and its character relationships a society is revealed that fosters betrayal, grand reputation and a patriarchal hierarchy. In addition, the unique contextual values of the Elizabethan period discern a prominent aristocracy. Finally is must be said that the timelessness of the text is a result of Shakespeare’s intent to externalise the internal battles of all humans using drama as his medium. Hence the reason audiences still watch in awe today as a plot from more than 400 years ago unravels before them.